West Wyoming Council

Flood of 2011

FLOOD INFORMATION

Types of Assistance Available
Wyoming Borough is coordinating a program with Gerrity’s Supermarkets and the Wyoming Price Chopper. Individuals who wish to aid local flood victims may purchase much needed cleaning supplies and donate them at the stores. Collection carts are located at the front of the store in all Gerrity’s locations and at the Wyoming Price Chopper. Requested items include bleach, all-purpose cleaners, gloves, mops, brooms and any other cleaning items. This program begins today, SUNDAY, September 11, 2011 and will continue until further notice.
West Wyoming residents are advised to document all flooding damage prior to any cleanup efforts. Please take photographs and document the level of damage. The borough will compile all data and submit to the county.
A thank you to the Lighthouse Inn, Januzzi's Pizza and Marianacci's Restaurant for donating food and beverages for the emergency responders who have been putting in long hours over the last few days.
West Wyoming Residents are advised to limit their usage of the sanitary sewer system as much as possible.
Pennsylvania DEP News Release1

Message From the Borough Council and Mayor Regarding Flooding

The recent flooding event has been devastating to many residents of Wyoming Valley and to some of our own residents in West Wyoming who have also been impacted. The borough council and mayor would like to express our heartfelt thanks to our volunteer fire departments, Emergency Management Officer, fire police, ambulance, police department, DPW workers, and borough engineer for their tireless work this past week assisting residents. The Boy Scouts of Troop 366 who helped fill sand bags. We had many citizens who came to the aid of their friends and neighbors; even a lemon aid stand to raise funds for cleaning supplies was organized by neighborhood children. We would also like to thank the local businesses, the Lighthouse Inn, Januzzi's Pizza, Marianacci's Restaurant, and Jackson Twp Fire Department for donating food and beverages for the emergency responders and to Krasavage Construction for assisting with flood control measures. Community spirit is what makes small towns so special, thank you to all for your commitment to your friends, neighbors, and West Wyoming Borough.

West Wyoming Council Members

Eileen Cipriani, Gary Stavish, Gil Atherholt, Dan Gadomski, Len Tarreto, Geno Leoni,Dan Grescavage,Mayor Joseph Herbert

Homeowners who suffered flood damage should note these cleanup guidelines:

· Be careful when entering a flood-damaged building. Loose, wet ceiling plaster is heavy and dangerous, so knock down hanging plaster before moving around. Watch for holes in the floor and loose boards with exposed nails.

· Once inside, turn off the gas and electricity. Wear rubber-soled shoes or boots and rubber gloves and turn off the main switch using a piece of rubber, plastic or dry wood while standing on a dry board to avoid electrocution.

· Do not pump the basement until the water has gone down, as pumping a water-filled basement could result in the walls collapsing.

· Never use a gas-powered pump or generator in an enclosed area; carbon monoxide fumes could overcome you.

· Test plumbing and basement drains by pouring a bucket of water in them. If the water does not run out, remove the clean-out plug from the trap and rake out the mud with a wire.

· Do not rush to move back into your home. Before a house is habitable, it must be dried and thoroughly cleaned, since flood waters pick up sewage and chemicals as they travel.

· Open doors and windows to ventilate and dry the inside, and wait until all floors, ceilings, walls and furnishings are dry and free of mold and mildew before trying to repair or salvage them.

· Everything that flood water has touched should be disinfected. Scrub down walls and any other smooth, hard surfaces with a solution made of clean water and two-percent chlorine bleach. Two to three capfuls of chlorine bleach to a bucket of water are recommended. Wear gloves when disinfecting surfaces.

· Do not attempt to repair floors until they are fully dry. Dry wood floors as soon as possible by opening all doors and windows, which should prevent them from shrinking and deforming. Once dry, buckled floors may be drawn back into place with nails, and planning and sanding may remove humps.

· Remove drawers and clean all mud and dirt from wooden furniture. Be sure to dry furniture slowly and indoors to prevent the sun from warping it.

· If possible, simply air-dry family treasures such as books, photographs or paintings.